Ramathasan Thevamaran

Research

Professor Thevamaran’s research focuses on advancing our fundamental knowledge of structure-property-function relations in structured materials such as hierarchical carbon nanotube foams and mats, gradient-nano-grained metals, polymer nanocomposites, and nonhermitian and parity-time symmetric metamaterials. His research group investigates such structured materials over a broad length- and timescales using a variety of tools such as laser-enabled microballistics, direct macroscale impact testing, vibration testing, and quasistatic compression and tension testing apparatuses along with scanning and transmission electron microscopy and high-speed microscope. The key design principles developed through his fundamental research will guide the development of revolutionary materials for various engineering applications—from impact protection to controlling mechanical waves and vibrations in unprecedented ways.

Education

PhD, Mechanical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, CA, USA, 2015.

MS, Mechanical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, CA, USA, 2010.

BScEng(Hons), Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, 2008.

Professional Experience

University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA

Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aug 2024 – Present

Affiliate Faculty, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Jan 2018 – Present

Affiliate Faculty, Department of Nuclear Engineering and Engineering Physics, Jan 2023 – Present

Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jan 2023 – Aug 2024

Assistant Professor, Department of Engineering Physics, Aug 2017 – Dec 2022

Affiliate Faculty, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jan 2018 – Dec 2022

Rice University, Houston, TX, USA

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Materials Science and NanoEngineering, Oct 2014 – Aug 2017

Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories, NM, USA

Visiting Researcher / User, Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, Sep 2015 – Dec 2016

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zürich (ETH Zürich), Switzerland

Visiting Scholar, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, May 2013 – Sep 2014

Binnig and Rohrer Nanotechnology Center (BRNC), IBM Research Zürich, Switzerland

Visiting Researcher, May 2013 – Sep 2014

California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena, CA, USA

Graduate Student, Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering, Sep 2009 – Sep 2014

University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, May 2008 – Jul 2009

British College of Applied Studies, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Visiting Lecturer, Jun 2008 – May 2009

National Water Supply and Drainage Board, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Engineering Undergraduate Intern, Grater Kandy Water Supply Project, Feb 2007 – Jul 2007

Honors and Awards

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Bernard A. and Frances M. Weideman Associate Professorship, 2024.

Vilas Early Career Award, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2024.

WARF Innovation Award, Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (selected for the top invention out of over 400 disclosures in the prior year), 2022.

NASA Early Career Faculty Award, The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 2022.

Ferdinand P. Beer and E. Russel Johnston, Jr. Outstanding New Mechanics Educator, American Society for Engineering Education, 2021.

Madison Teaching and Learning Excellence Fellow, 2018.

Caltech

British Society for Strain Measurement – Young Stress Analyst (second place), 2014

IUTAM Travel Award, 2012

Mechanical Engineering Fellowship, 2009-2010

University of Peradeniya

C. H. Hewavitharana Prize for the Best Performance in Engineering, 2008

Ceylon Development Engineering Prize for the Best Performance in Civil Engineering, 2008

A. Thurairajah Prize for Geotechnics, 2008

M. Amaratunga Prize for Strength of Materials, 2008

E. O. E. Pereira Prize for Structures, 2008

Mahapola Higher Education (Merit) Scholarship, University Grant Commission, 2004-2008

Leadership and Academic Services

Journal reviewer for Acta Materialia, Applied Physics Letters, ACS Applied Nanomaterials, ACS Nano, Carbon, Composites Part B: Engineering, Communications Physics, Communications Materials, Experimental Mechanics, Extreme Mechanics Letters, International Journal of Plasticity, International Journal of Solids and Structures, Journal of Applied Mechanics, Journal of Materials Research, Journal of Vibration and Control, Materials & Design, Mechanics Research Communications, Nano Letters, Physical Review Applied, Science Advances. Since 2014.

Co-organizer, “Symposium on Controlling mechanical waves with metamaterials.” 60^th Annual Technical Meeting of the Society of Engineering Science (SES 2023), University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Oct 2023

Co-organizer, “Multiscale Extreme Behavior of Materials: Structure, Mechanisms, and Kinetic Process.” 59^th Annual Technical Meeting of the Society of Engineering Science (SES 2022), Texas A&M University, College Station, Oct 2022

Co-organizer, “Symposium on Controlling mechanical waves with metamaterials.” 59^th Annual Technical Meeting of the Society of Engineering Science (SES 2022), Texas A&M University, College Station, Oct 2022

Co-organizer, “23^rd International Symposium on Micro- and Nanomechanics (ISMAN).” Annual Conference and Exposition on Experimental and Applied Mechanics (SEM 2020), Pittsburg, Jun 2020

Co-organizer, “Symposium on microballistic testing of emerging materials”, 19^th U.S. National Congress on Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (USNC/TAM 2022), Austin, TX. Jun 2020

Co-organizer, “Symposium on Controlling mechanical waves with metamaterials.” 57^th Annual Technical Meeting of the Society of Engineering Science (SES 2020), Virtual Conference. Sep 2020

Co-organizer, “21^st International Symposium on Micro- and Nanomechanics (ISMAN).” Annual Conference and Exposition on Experimental and Applied Mechanics (SEM 2020), Virtual Conference. Jun 2020

Co-organizer, “Symposium on Controlling mechanical waves with metamaterials.” 56^th Annual Technical Meeting of the Society of Engineering Science (SES 2019), St. Louis, MO. Oct 2019

Co-organizer, “20^th International Symposium on Micro- and Nanomechanics (ISMAN).” Annual Conference and Exposition on Experimental and Applied Mechanics (SEM 2019), Reno, NV, Jun 2019

Session Chair (invited), “Topical Symposium on Nonreciprocal and Topological Wave Phenomena.” AmeriMech 2019, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO. May 2019

Co-organizer, Midwest Mechanics Graduate Student Symposium, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI. Mar 2019

Symposium co-organizer, Controlling Mechanical Waves with Metamaterials, 55th Annual Technical Meeting of the Society of Engineering Science, Madrid, Spain, Oct 2018

Director at large, Graduate Student Council, Caltech, 2012-2013

Treasurer, Graduate Student Council, Caltech, 2011-2012

Under-represented students’ advocate, Graduate Student Council, Caltech, 2010-2011

Member of the organizing committee, Caltech Y – Explore, 2010-2013

Member of the organizing committee, James K. Knowles Lecture and the Caltech Solid Mechanics Symposium, Caltech, 2012

Invited Keynotes/ Seminars/ Talks

• “Non-Hermitian elastodynamic metamaterials”, 6^th International Conference on Phononic Crystals/Metamaterials/Metasurfaces, Phonon Transport, and Topological Phononics (Phononics 2023), Manchester, United Kingdom, Jun 2023.
• “Microballistics: From superior energy absorption in nanofibrous materials to creation of heterogeneous nanostructures in metals”, Mechanical Engineering Seminar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, Apr 2023.
• “Microballistics: From superior energy absorption in nanofibrous materials to creation of heterogeneous nanostructures in metals”, Applied Mechanics Seminar, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Canada, Apr 2023.
• “Dynamic performance of polymer nanofiber mats under supersonic impacts”, Symposium on Transcending Nature in the Design of Polymer Hybrid Materials for Structural Applications: Advances in Experiments, Simulations, and AI Based Design, 2023 ACS Spring Meeting, American Chemical Society (ACS), Indianapolis, IN, Mar 2023.
• “An Ally in Dissipation: From Effective Impact Mitigation to Enhanced Actuation through Engineered Dissipation”, Mechanical Engineering Departmental Seminar, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN, Mar 2023.
• “Microballistics: From superior energy absorption in nanofibrous materials to creation of nanostructured metals”, Hopkins Extreme Materials Institute (HEMI) Seminar, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, Feb 2023.
• Keynote: “Dynamic creation of nanostructures in metals with synergistically enhanced strength, hardness, and toughness.” International Conference on Plasticity, Damage, and Fracture (Plasticity 2023), Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, Jan 2023.
• “Microballistics: From superior energy absorption in nanofibrous materials to creation of nanostructured metals”, Department of Mechanical Engineering Seminar, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, December 2022.
• “An Ally in Dissipation: From Effective Impact Mitigation to Enhanced Actuation through Engineered Dissipation”, Science for Protection of Engineered Environments (SPREE) Seminar Series, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, Oct 2022.
• Synergistic improvement of mechanical properties through impact-induced nanostructural evolution in silver single crystals, Symposium on Multiscale Extreme Behavior of Materials: Structure, Mechanisms, and Kinetic Process, 2022 Annual Technical Meeting, Society of Engineering Science (SES), College Station, TX, October 2022.
• “Enhanced Mechanical Properties by Engineered Carbon Nanotube Materials”, Civil Engineering Seminar (presented virtually), Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), Sri Lanka. Aug 2022.
• “Enhanced Mechanical Properties by Engineered Carbon Nanotube Materials”, Guadalupe Workshop X: Nucleation and Growth Mechanisms of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes, sponsored by the Air Force Research Laboratory, Honda, Rice University, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. May 2022.
• “An Ally in Dissipation: From Effective Impact Mitigation to Enhanced Emissivity via Engineered Dissipation”, Mechanics Seminar, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, Oct 2021.
• “Microballistics: Dynamic Creation of Nanostructures in Metals to Engineering Energy Dissipation in Nanostructured Materials!”, Frontiers in Mechanical Engineering and Sciences Webinar, Participating Universities: University of Michigan, Purdue University, UCLA, Texas A&M, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Minnesota, University of Maryland, and Penn State. Oct 2020.
• “Microballistics: Dynamic Creation of Nanostructures in Metals to Engineering Energy Dissipation in Nanostructured Materials!”, Mechanical Engineering Seminar, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) – Bangalore, India, Sep 2020. (Presented Virtually).
• “Gradient-nano-grained structure and phase transformations via high-velocity impact of metallic microcubes”, International Conference on Plasticity, Damage, and Fracture (Plasticity 2020): Symposium on physics and mechanics of metallic material interfaces. Rivera Maya, Mexico, Jan 2020.
• Microballistics: From martensitic phase transformation in metals to superior energy dissipation in ultrathin polymer films, School of Engineering Research Seminar: Center for Material Innovation and Future Fashion (CMIFF), RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia, Dec 2019.
• “Controlling acoustic waves with non-Hermitian metamaterials,” AmeriMech 2019: Topical symposium on nonreciprocal and topological wave phenomena. University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, May 2019.
• “Gradient microstructures for synergistic improvement of mechanical properties of metals”, Solid Mechanics Seminar, Laboratoire de Mechanique des Solides – CNRS – Ecole Polytechnique, Palaiseau, France, Oct 2018.
• “Hierarchical and gradient microstructures for controlling mechanical properties”, Materials Science Engineering Seminar (MSE900), University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA, Mar 2018.
• “Engineering nano/microstructure of metals via high-velocity impact”, Grainger Institute Early Career Seminar, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Wisconsin, WI, Nov 2017.
• “Structured materials for controlling mechanical waves”, Physics Colloquium, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, Oct 2017.
• “Structured materials for controlling mechanical waves”, Engineering Physics Seminar, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, Oct 2017.
• “Hierarchical and gradient microstructures for controlling mechanical properties”, Engineering Seminar, Faculty of Engineering, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka, Jul 2017.
• “Hierarchical and gradient microstructures for controlling mechanical properties”, Engineering Seminar, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, Jul 2017.
• “Hierarchical and gradient microstructures for controlling mechanical properties”, Civil Engineering Seminar, Faculty of Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, Jul 2017.
• “Hierarchical and gradient microstructures for controlling mechanical properties”, Civil Engineering Research Seminar (CE3921), SLIIT Faculty of Engineering, Malabe, Sri Lanka, Jul 2017.
• “Hierarchical and gradient microstructures for controlling mechanical properties”, Mechanical Engineering Seminar, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA, Mar 2017.
• “Hierarchical and gradient microstructures for controlling mechanical properties”, Aerospace Engineering Seminar, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA, Feb 2017.
• “Hierarchical and gradient microstructures for controlling mechanical properties”, Engineering Physics and Mechanical Engineering Seminar, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA, Feb 2017.
• “Hierarchical and gradient microstructures for controlling mechanical properties”, AE590: Graduate Seminar Series in Aerospace Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA, Feb 2017.
• “Hierarchical and gradient microstructures for controlling mechanical properties”, Mechanical Engineering Seminar, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA, Jan 2017.
• “Mechanics of carbon nanotube structures”, A seminar of the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, Jan 2014.
• “Ingenuity in advancing science and technology”, A seminar jointly organized by the Jaffna Managers Forum and the Institute of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL) – North Center, Jaffna, Sri Lanka, Jan 2014.
• “Dynamics of vertically aligned carbon nanotube foams”, Doktorandenseminar, Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering, ETH Zürich, Switzerland, Oct 2013.
• “Dynamics of single and multi-layer vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs)”, Postdoctoral and Graduate Student Seminars, Institute for Quantum Information and Matter (IQIM), Caltech, CA, USA, Sep 2012.
• “Nanotechnology for Civil Engineering Industry”, Institute of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL) – North Center, Jaffna, Sri Lanka, Jul 2009.
• Nanotechnology Awareness Seminar on “Career Opportunities in Nanotechnology”, Organized by the National Science Foundation (NSF), Colombo, Sri Lanka, Jun 2009.
• “Nanotechnology for civil engineering industry”, Seminar on Tapping the World of Nano: Possible Nanotechnology Applications to the Sri Lankan Industry, Organized by the Institute of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL) in collaboration with National Science Foundation (NSF), Colombo, Sri Lanka, Mar 2009.
• “Nanotechnology for construction industry”, Seminar on Tapping the World of Nano: Possible Nanotechnology Applications to the Construction Industry of Sri Lanka, Organized by the Institute for Construction Training and Development (ICTAD) in collaboration with National Science Foundation (NSF), Colombo, Sri Lanka, Jan 2009.
• “Anisotropic elastic properties of carbon nanotubes”, Training Workshop on Exploring Opportunities in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Jointly organized by the Post Graduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya (PGIS) and the Institute of Engineers, Sri Lanka (IESL), Kandy, Sri Lanka, Jun 2008.

Hobbies

Hiking, Photography, Watching Movies